56-1054. HEALTH QUALITY PLANNING. (1) It is the intent of the legislature that the department of health and welfare ("the department") promote improved quality of care and improved health outcomes through investment in health information technology and in patient safety and quality initiatives in the state of Idaho.

(a) Coordinated implementation of health information technology in Idaho will establish widespread use of networked electronic health information or health records to allow quick, reliable and secure access to that information in order to promote patient safety and best practices in health care. This goal is consistent with the mission of the office of the national coordinator for health information technology, established by the president of the United States in 2004, to provide leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of health care and the ability of consumers to manage their care and safety.

(b) Coordinated implementation of statewide patient safety standards will identify uniform indicators of and standards for clinical quality and patient safety as well as uniform requirements for reporting provider achievement of those indicators and standards.

(2) There is hereby created and established within the department a health quality planning commission ("the commission").

(a) By May 1, 2006, and as needed after that date, the governor shall appoint eleven (11) voting members upon assurance of equitable geographic and rural representation, comprising members of the public and private sectors with expertise in health information technology and clinical quality and patient safety. The membership shall represent all major participants in the health care delivery and financing systems. A majority of the commission shall be health care providers or employees of health care providers. One (1) member shall be an Idaho resident representing the public interest. The commission chairperson shall be appointed by the director of the department.

(b) Members of the commission shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years. The term of office shall commence on July 1, 2006. As terms of commission members expire, the governor shall appoint each new member or reappointed member to a term of two (2) years in a manner that is consistent with subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The commission shall meet quarterly and at the call of the chairperson.

(d) Each member of the commission shall be compensated as provided by section 59-509(d), Idaho Code.

(e) Upon the occurrence or declaration of a vacancy in the membership of the commission, the department shall notify the represented entity of that fact in writing and the represented entity shall, within sixty (60) days thereafter, nominate at least one (1) and not more than three (3) persons to fill the vacancy and shall forward the nominations to the governor, who shall appoint from among the nominees a person to be a member of the commission to fill the vacancy. Such appointments shall be for a term of two (2) years.

(f) Members of the commission may be removed by the governor for substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or the inability to discharge the duties described in this section, after written notice and opportunity for response.

(g) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business and the carrying out of commission duties.

(3) The department may dedicate funding to the operations of the commission, subject to appropriation from the legislature. The department shall seek federal matching funds and additional private sector funding for commission operations.

(4) The commission shall perform the following duties related to health information technology planning:

(a) Monitor the effectiveness of the Idaho health data exchange; and

(b) Make recommendations to the legislature and the department on opportunities to improve the capabilities of health information technology in the state.

(5) The commission may use the information generated by the Idaho health data exchange and other data sources to promote health and patient safety planning. The commission may perform the following duties related to health quality and patient safety planning, provided that performance of these duties may include contracting with and supervising independent entities for the performance of some or all of these duties:

(a) Analyze existing clinical quality assurance and patient safety standards and reporting;

(b) Identify best practices in clinical quality assurance and patient safety standards and reporting;

(c) Recommend a mechanism or mechanisms for the uniform adoption of certain best practices in clinical quality assurance and patient safety standards and reporting including, but not limited to, the creation of regulatory standards;

(d) Monitor and report appropriate indicators of quality and patient safety;

(e) Recommend a sustainable structure for leadership of ongoing clinical quality and patient safety reporting in Idaho;

(f) Recommend a mechanism or mechanisms to promote public understanding of provider achievement of clinical quality and patient safety standards;

(g) Provide quarterly progress reports to the director of the department. An annual report shall be due to the director and the senate and house of representatives health and welfare committees on June 30 of each year; and

(h) In regard to the commission’s duties provided for in this section, the commission is directed to ensure that such duties are developed and implemented in such a manner and in such forms or formats as to result in health care data that will be readily understood by the citizens of this state.

History:

[56-1054, added 2006, ch. 243, sec. 1, p. 737; am. 2007, ch. 171, sec. 1, p. 503; am. 2008, ch. 364, sec. 1, p. 996; am. 2010, ch. 56, sec. 1, p. 104; am. 2016, ch. 83, sec. 1, p. 264.]